Building consents fall 14pc

The number of new building consents fell a seasonally adjusted 14.1 per cent in March from February, Statistics New Zealand said today.

Compared to March 2005 the fall to 2082 consents was 25 per cent.

The actual number of new dwelling permits issued was 2299 compared to 3027 last March, a fall of 24 per cent.

In March 2005 there was a boost to consents as builders got in applications before a new an increase to in building levies and other fees on April 1.

"This should be noted when comparing the figures for March 2006 with March 2005," SNZ said.

Since April 2005, the number of new dwelling units issued each month has ranged between 1900 and 2445.

The total number of new residential consents in the March year was 6701, down 5.2 per cent from the March 2005 year.

Consents were issued for 2079 new dwelling units (excluding apartment units) in March 2006, 66 units fewer than in March 2005.

There were 220 consents for new apartments this March compared to 882 in March last year.

The total value of consents issued for residential buildings was $625 million, down $119 million (16 per cent) from March 2005.

The value of consents issued for non-residential buildings was $369m in March 2006, down $45m (11 per cent) from March 2005.

The largest contributor to the March 2006 value was office and administration buildings, at $64m.

The trend for the value of non-residential buildings remained at a high level, SNZ said.

- NZPA